Mechanical weather-stripping device



G. PETERSON 2,565,517

MECHANICAL WEATHER STRIPPING DEVICE Aug. 28, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 26, 1945 INVENTOR. 61/172017 Pew/son REYNOLDS a; BEACH ATTORNEYS Aug. 28, 1951, PETER O 2,565,517

MECHANICAL WEATHER STRIPPING DEVICE Filed June 26, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 42 33 INVENTOR.

017m an Pefersoa REYNOLDS a BEACH ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 28, 1951 MECHANICAL WElATHER-STRIPPING DEVICE ,Gilman Peterson, Seattle, Wash.

Application June 26, 1945, Serial No. 601,567

6 Claims.

My invention relates to a novel Weatherstripping device capable of covering a crack between a movable closure element, such as a door or a sash, and the frame. It is particularly useful for covering the crack beneath a door. More specifically, it is well adapted to cover exteriorly the crack beneath a door which swings inward.

In general, my invention consists of a plate carried by the door which is movable from a retracted position above the lower edge of the door into an extended position projecting downward beyond such edge of the door into overlapping engagement with a shoulder flush with the outer face of the door, and especially such a plate which is hinged to swing between such positions.

Particular advantages of my invention are its ability to cover securely the crack between a door and its frame, for example, to prevent ingress of drafts and moisture through the crack, without requiring the use of felt or other material subject to rapid deterioration.

A specific object of the invention is to embody it in an attachment which can be secured readily to a door without special formation of the door to accommodate the attachment, and which will cooperate with the door frame while requiring minimum modification of the frame. Being of compact construction, the attachment is unobtrusive and neat in appearance.

A further advantage of the device is its effectiveness and convenience of use, the crack covering element being retracted automatically as the door is opened, yet held positively in crackcovering position when the door is closed. This operation is obtained with a structure having the minimum number of movable parts which are ruggedly constructed of durable material resulting in a reliable device which will have a long life.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of my Weatherstrip device shown attached to the lower edge of a door, the door being shown closed and the Weatherstrip element retracted.

Figure 2 is a plan view of my Weatherstrip attachment shown mounted on the lower edge of a door shown in section on line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of my weatherstrip attachment viewed in the direction indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure 2, and in addition showing a fragmentary portion of the door jamb.

Figure 4 is a transverse section through my Weatherstrip attachment on line 4-4 of Figure 3, showing such attachment mounted on the lower edge of a door and cooperating with the door sill, the door being shown in closed position.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view through my Weatherstrip attachment shownmounted on the door with the covering strip in the retracted position which it assumes when the door is opened. I I

Figure 6 is a fragmental sectional view of my Weatherstrip attachment taken on line 6-6 of Figure 4, and Figure 7 is a corresponding view on line '|-'l of Figure 5.

While, as stated above, my Weatherstrip device may be used in a wide variety of applications, it is perhaps most useful to seal the crack at the bottom of a door on the side of the opening opposite that to which the door swings, normally the outer side on an outside door. In mounting the attachment on the door it is not necessary to cut any apertures, grooves, or recesses in the door, for the attachment is secured to one face of the door and projects beyond it. Thus the weatherstrip attachment shown in Figure l is secured to the outer face of the door I0 near its bottom. The attachment is of a length to fit between the usual door jambs f2 and I3, as shown in both Figures 1 and 2, and the door is carried in conventional fashion by the hinges 15 to swing inwardly from the door opening.

While in Figure 2 the projecting portions M of the door jambs are shown integral with the j ambs l2 and I3, these projections may be formed as separate stop strips, if desired. The door sill preferably includes a threshold strip having its upper portion formed on the outer side as an abrupt shoulder flush with the outer face of the door when closed, as shown in Figure 4, and the upper portion may be covered with a metal wear strip 44 which is desirable to provide a smooth vertical face on the shoulder against which the sealing strip may engage, as well as providing a durable surface on top of the threshold itself.

The Weatherstrip attachment is composed of two principal elements: first, a stationary base or supporting strip designated generally I6, and a cover or sealing plate 28 movable between a retracted or raised position, as shown in Figure 5, and a lowered or sealing position shown in Figure 4. These two plates or strips are pivotally connected by hinges which will be concealed entirely beneath the supporting strip iii. The hinge pin supporting ears 3| for the swingable element 28 may be formed from the strip itself.

The supporting strip I6 is of a length to extend substantially entirely across the doorway, as shown in Figure l and Figure 2, there being merely suflicient clearance between the right end of this strip and the door jamb projection M to enable the strip end to pass the corner of the jamb just before the door reaches closed position, and upon initial movement of the door when it is swung toward open position. Preferably the strip 16 is of generally Z-bar shape in cross-section, as shown in Figure 4, the web N3 of which extends generally transversely of the plane of the door. Flange I! along one edge of the web extends upward and is secured to the door by screws 2|, carrying the entire attachment, and the flange IS on the other edge of the strip projects downwardly over the upper edge of the closure plate The swingable closure strip 28 includes an exposed portion 29 movable between the depending, upright position shown in Figures 4 and 6 and the retracted. generally horizontal positionof Figures and '7, and a flange 3! on the upper edge of the exposed portion 29 extending transversely of it. From the flange st of the movable cover plate may be cut and bent ears 3! arranged in pairs, although such ears may be provided on the main portion in any other fashion, if desired. While any number of pairs of cars may be provided, two are sufiicient in most cases, to dispose one hinge near the hinged edge of the door, as shown at the right of Figure 3, and the other adjacent to the swinging edge of the door.

Cooperating with each pair of hinge ears '3! on strip 28 are corresponding pairs of ears 25 projecting from web 18 of the stationary strip. These may be formed on opposite ends of plates 13 suitably secured to the under side of strip 16, such 'as by rivets 22. The pairs of cars 25 and 7 3|, which interfit as shown in Figure 3, are corrematic control mechanism provided for effecting movement of the cover strip 28 between the depending position of Figure 4 and the retracted position of Figure '5. If no control mechanism were provided, the effect of gravity on the cover strip 28 would cause it to assume a depending position, although not precisely the vertical position shown in Figure 4. To swing the plate upward from a depending position in the manner indicated by the arrow in Figure 5 about the axis or hinge pins 38, a reciprocating rod 35 is provided, which is mounted to slide lengthwise of strips 16 and 28. This rod is guided for such lengthwise reciprocation by being received in apertures 26 formed in the ears 25 'of the stationary hinge elements secured to the underside of strip l6. While the control rod may extend from the swingin edge of the door to any hinge inter connecting strips 56 and 23, it is most convenient for it to extend only through the ears of the stationary hinge part nearest to the hinged edge of "the door.

The control rod is normally urged lengthwise toward the hinged edge of the door by a spring 38 encircling it and reacting between an abutrn'ent on strip l5, such as one of the hinge ears ?5. and a spring connection on the control rod. Ihis connection is shown as an enlargement or head 3"! and the spring 38 is shown of the compression type, although a. tension spring urging the rod in the same direction could be used. It

. isc'onvenient to locate such spring adjacent to the rod in any fashion, or may even be formed asan integral part of the rod by upsetting its end, preferably it is adjustable and removable.

'The particular connection shown is effected by Ill interengaged threads 36 on the head and rod which enable the head to be applied to the rod readily after assembly of parts and to be removed easily for disassembling them or for replacing spring 38. Also the loading of spring 38 can be regulated by varying the position of the head along the rod.

The end of control rod 35 opposite its head 3'! is bent relative to the body of the control rod to form a hook, which preferably is of a particular shape, including a portion inclined with respect to the rod body. In order to lift the plate the end of the rod must be offset from its body portion which passes through the holes 26, such as being bent back generally at an acute angle to the reciprooabl'e body to form a hook. This hooked end is disposed to engage behind oneof the ears -31 of the hinge structure carried by the swingable plate 28 when the head of the rod is shifted outward beyond the end of strip 16 by the action of spring 38, .for engagement with such ear in a manner to wedge it upwardly as the rod 35 thus is reciprocated 'by its spring. To accomplish this action most effectively it is preferred that the hooked end of rod 35., bent principally at 39, havan inclined or 'wedging portion between a curve :36 and a curve All, as shown in Figure 6. The end of the'rod beyond the bend 4| maybe parallel with the body of the rod, and the portion of the rod between the bend proper 39 and the bend 40 may be substantially parallel to the body of the hook 35 to produce a latching action by engagement with the ear 3! in the manner shown in Figure 7.

While I have illustrated and prefer the location of rod 35 to be adjacent -to the hinged edge of the door, it could alternatively be disposed adjacent to the swinging edge, provided that the end of the r'odor its head'eng'ages the door jamb or other striker element as the door is swung closed to reciprocate the rod lengthwise for disengaging its hooked portion from the ear 31 of the swingable strip. Rotation of rod 35 about its axis is prevented by engagement of the principal bend 39 of the hook portion with an edge of the flange '30 when the cover plate 28 is swung up as shown in Figures 5 and '7, and of the inclined Wedging portion of the hook with the face of this flange "adjacent to an edge of a cut-out portion when the plate is in its downwardly swung position shown in Figures 4 and 6.

While the swingable cover or sealing strip 28 willswing downward on its hinges when the supporting engagement of the hook of rod 35 is removed from the hinge ear 3|, it is desirable to insure not only that the strip be swung downward positively, but that it will be held in such positionagainst rattling, such as by wind, when the door is closed. Consequently, I provide a holding element for retaining the plate in vertical position closely covering the crack beneath the door, such as a tab 29 projecting beyond the end-.ofstrip .28 adjacent to the swinging edge of thedoor which will be pressed between the door and the adjacent shoulder of the jamb when the door .is closed. If the body 29 of the strip is narrow, ordinarily room will'be aiiorded for the vstrip to swing downward even if the lower edge :of the strip end is in aligned continuation of the lower edge of the sealing portion. Where a wide strip is used, however, so that it will extend well down below the crack under the door, as shown in'Figure '4, it is preferable to cut back the lower corner of the strip so that the tab will be of lesser width'than the'sealing'portion of the strip,

as shown in Figures 1 and 3, and will not-interfere as much with the door jamb during closing of the door.

It will be understood that while my seal strip attachment preferably is used in conjunction with a vertical shoulder on the threshhold, as indicated in Figure 4, this would not be essential. Since the sealing device is entirely self-contained, to install it it is necessary merely to attach the flange ll of the stationary strip Hi to the door adjacent to its lower edge or to the equivalent closure memher in a position such that the lower edge of the swinging strip 28 will just clear the threshhold ledge, shown in Figure 4, when the door is closed, or at least will extend a sufiicient distance below the lower edge of the door to seal the crack under it. Also, of course, it is necessary that the device be installed high enough so that the lower edge of the sealing strip will be slightly above the lower edge of the door when such strip is in retracted position, as Shown in Figure 5. Preferably a striker element, which may be merely the head of a screw 43, is provided on the door jamb for engagement by the head 31 of rod 35, as shown in Figures 3 and 6.

With the device thus installed, it will be evident that as the door is closed the head 3'! of control rod 35 will engage the door jamb just as the plate 28 in retracted position is passing the outer edge of the threshold, so that the support of hook 34 will be withdrawn from the hinge ear 3| to allow the cover plate to swing downward. Engagement of the tab 29 with the door jamb at the swinging edge of the door will complete downward swinging of the cover plate into vertical position and will hold it in such position closely overlying the crack below the door as long as the door remains closed. When the door is again opened, however, spring 38 will reciprocate rod 35 lengthwise outward as the pressure against the head 31 of this rod is removed and the movement of hook 34 thus eifected will cause its inclined portion 40 to wedge against the ear 3| of the hinge, thus to swing the plate 28 upward into the retracted position of Figure 5.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A Weatherstrip device comprising a strip adapted to be secured to a closure member, a second strip disposed alongside and parallel to said first strip, hinge means interconnecting said strips for relative swinging, a control rod having a straight body portion and a hook including a portion inclined relative to said body portion and engageable with said hinge means to effect swinging of said second strip toward said first strip by lengthwise reciprocation of said control rod, means guiding said control rod for lengthwise reciprocation, and spring means urging said control rod in a direction to engage said inclined portion of its hook with said hinge means for effecting such swinging of said second strip relative to said first strip.

, 2. The Weatherstrip device defined in claim 1, in which the hook includes a portion substantially parallel to the body of the control rod, and. the inclined hook portion is adjacent to such parallel hook portion and is disposed at an acute angle relative to the control rod and wedgingly engageable with the hinge means.

3. A Weatherstrip device comprising a strip adapted to be secured to a closure member, a second strip disposed alongside and parallel to said first strip, and swingable relative to said first strip, an ear projecting from said second strip, a control rod having a substantially straight body portion, and a portion inclined relative to the body thereof and engageable with said ear to effect swinging of said second strip toward said first strip by lengthwise reciprocation of said control rod, means guiding said control rod for lengthwise reciprocation, and spring means urging said control rod in a direction to engage its inclined portion with said ear for effecting such swinging of said second strip relative to said first strip.

4. A Weatherstrip device comprising a metal strip of z-bar cross-sectional shape adapted to have one of its flanges secured to a closure member, a second metal strip disposed alongside and parallel to the web of said first strip and adjacent to its other flange, hinge means interconnecting said strips for relative swinging including a plurality of ears formed integral with and bent outward from said second strip having apertures therein and a hinge pin extending through such apertures, and means carried by said first strip and wedgingly engageable with one of said ears integral with said second strip to effect swinging of said second strip toward said first strip by such wedging engagement.

5. A Weatherstrip device comprising a metal strip of Z-bar cross-sectional shape adapted to have one of its flanges secured to a closure member, a second metal strip disposed alongside and parallel to the web of said first strip and adjacent to its other flange, hinge means interconnecting said strips for relative swinging including a plurality of ears formed integral with and bent outward from said second strip having apertures therein and a hinge pin extending through such apertures, a control rod having a straight body portion and a hook including a portion inclined relative to said body portion and engageable with said hinge means to effect swinging of said second strip toward said first strip by lengthwise reciprocation of said control rod, means guiding said control rod for lengthwise reciprocation, and spring means urging said control rod in a direction to engage said inclined portion of its hook with said hinge means for effecting such swinging of said second strip relative to said first strip.

6. A Weatherstrip device comprising a strip adapted to be secured to a closure member, a second strip disposed alongside and parallel to said first strip, hinge means interconnecting said strips for relative swinging, a control rod carried by said first strip, guided for lengthwise reciprocation relative thereto and engageable with said hinge means to effect swinging of said second strip toward said first strip by lengthwise reciprocation of said control rod, and a tab projecting from the end of said second strip beyond the adjacent end of said first strip, and engageable to hold said second strip in a position swung away from said first strip.

GILMAN PETERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 614,713 Fowler et al Nov. 22, 1898 694,135 Cannon Feb. 25, 1902 710,478 Little Oct. 7, 1902 754,819 Senglar Mar. 15, 1904 767,771 Snow Aug. 16, 1904 

